Automatic recoil foot adjusting device



Aug. 25, 1936.

MORGAN AUTOMATIC RECOIL FOOT ADJUSTING DEVICE Filed July 18, 1935 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 Inventor 9774117 M iy Aug. 25, 1936. MORGAN 2,052,102

AUTOMATIC RECOIL FOOT ADJUSTING DEVICE Filed July 18, 1935 2 Shets-Sheet 2 [nvenlor Patented Aug. 25, 1936 PATENT OFFICE AUTOMATIC RECOIL FOOT ADJUSTING DEVICE Arthur Morgan,

Application July 18,

5 Claims.

This invention relates to a novel appliance or device for .conditioning and reconditioning malpositioning of certain bones in the transverse and longitudinal arches of the human foot and has reference in particular to a manually manipulated and controlled mechanical structure of a resilient pressure resistant recoil type. By way of introduction and without attempting to give a scientific survey of the need for a device of this classification I would say that a fundamental cause of agreat majority of foot trouble lies in the malpositioning of certain bones, especially in the transverse arch and the correction lies in the adjustment of these bones back to normalcy. The test of normalcy in the arch rests not in the height of the arch but rather in the correct relative positidning of its component bones, complementary ligaments and companion structure.

I have found it expedient and practicable to accomplish reasonable and reliable results through the adoption and use of a simple, economical and reliable device which when correctly employed can-be used to great benefit by adjusting to proper relationship the transverse tarsal arch, the longi-tudinal arch; as well as the individual bones of the tarsal, meta-tarsal and phalangeal articulations of the foot, and which is also susceptible of operation to reposition their contiguous muscles and ligaments attending the breaking down of adhesion.-

Or otherwise stated, I have evolved and produced a satisfactorily usable foot pressed spring returned device which is calculated for use under the supervision of a doctor, or in the hands of a skilled patient to obtain relief from ankle weak- .ness and. strains and pains attendant upon misplacements and pressure upon nerves, whereby to quicken and increase the functional activity of the blood vessels and to thus hasten the passage of toxicgmaterials into the blood.

Briefly described, the preferred embodiment of the invention comprises a base including properly encased spring pressureresistant means cooperable with properly allocated cushioning pads, together with a manually depressed unit having members engageable with the pressure resistant means and having means at its top to provide an appropriate foot rest calculated to promote a properly adapted comforting adapter or form for the foot.

Other features and advantages will become more readily apparent from the following description and drawings.

In the drawings:

, Figure 1 isa view in section and elevation show- Port Jervis, N. Y. 1935, Serial No. 32,085

ing the preferred embodiment of the invention as constructed in accordance with my own inventive ideas.

Figure 2 is a transverse section looking at the structure in a direction from right to left in Figure 1.

Figure 3 is a diagrammatic view showing the manner in which the same foot rest shown for example in Figure 2 is utilized for arch adjusting purposes by merely placing the foot at right angles to the longitudinal dimension of the foot rest, the figure showing at the left an adjustment for the tarsal arch and showing .at the right in dotted lines the method of adjusting the meta-tarsal .phalangeal articulations.

Figure 4 is a view similar to Figure l disclosing how the foot is placed on the foot rest for adjusting the longitudinal arch.

Figure 5 is a view similar to Figure 4 showing the foot in a position for adjusting the phalanges. In reducing the invention to practice, I have found it practicable and feasible to utilize a base of the type indicated in Figure 1 by the numeral .6. This is in the nature of a wooden box or similar housing or enclosure and includes a baseboard l and a suitable top or plate 8. This plate is provided at longitudinally spaced points with openings and properly shouldered bushings or guides 9 are fitted in the openings. The lower threaded ends of the bushings are maintained in assembled position by retaining nuts Ill. These bushings serve as guides for the reciprocatory perpendicularly disposed plunger rods l I. These are of duplicate construction and slide down into the interior of the box through the guide bushings 9. Suitable heads 12 are provided on the lower end and are designed to come down into quick impact .relation with the rubber bumpers or cushions I3 located in the box. The pressure resistant means as a unit is preferably in the nature of mechanical spring devices and includes a pair of oppositely extending U-shaped frames or yokes IA. The bight portions of these are engageable with the heads l2 and the arms are formed with eyes pivotally surrounding the horizontal supporting pins IS. The pins in turn are supported by way of lugs or ears IE on adapter brackets. These brackets are ofgeneral L-shaped form and include upstanding plate portions I'l and attaching base portions l8 fastened in the box. The two brackets are arranged in abutting relationship so as to accommodate the companion arrangement of the pivoted downwardly swingable yokes M. The plate portions of the brackets serve as abutments $01 the ends I9 of the torsional springs 20. The

coiled springs 20 surround the .aforesaid pins and have extensions 2| engaging the arms of the yokes Hi. This normally keeps the yokes up into contact with the heads l2 and raises the pins l I up to the position shown in Figure 2 which is the normal position ready for use.

Different types of foot rests may be detachably connected to the upper ends of the plunger rods or pins ll. That is to say, these forms or foot rests will be expressly shaped and thus adapted to individual needs and requirements. Therefore, the term footrest is intended to cover, generically speaking, the arrangement shown in Figure 1 as well as the diversified arrangements fundamentally the same. In Figure 1, the form or foot rest 22 comprises a U-shaped connecting unit whose intermediate portion 23 is separably joined to the upper ends of the pins H. The upstanding ends 24 and 25 are constructed to accommodate the laterally bent down-turned ends 25 and 21 of the adapter member. This member is in the form of rigid metal strip channel-shaped in cross section and having a compound curve, that is, complemental bends 28 and 29. The end 26 is preferably rigidly bolted to the adjacent portion 24 while the end 21 is adjustably connectible with respect to the upstanding part 26 and this permits a limited degree of adjustment to be made for elevational purposes.

It is to be pointed out here that the unit comprising the part 22 and its associated feature 23 constitutes a fixture such as might well be collectively referred to as a foot rest. The part 22 being separable can be varied so far as longitudinal and transverse contour is concerned. The part 23 is standardized and these differently shaped parts 22 will therefore be interchangeable. Or stated otherwise the parts 22 will be made for individual needs according to prescription. It is evident, however, that from a fundamental structural standpoint, this foot rest means is detachably connectible with the reciprocatory pins or rods H and that it may be used in the different manners or ways shown in Figures 3, 4, and 5. For example, in Figure 4 we see the device in use for making an adjustment to the longitudinal arch. In Figure 3, we see the foot plate at right angles to the longitudinal dimensions of the foot rest for making two distinct adjustments. For example, in full lines in the left in Figure 3, the tarsal arch only is being adjusted. At the right as shown in dotted lines the meta-tarsal phalangeal articulation is being compensated for. Finally, in Figure 5, we see the position of the foot for the adjustment of the phalanges and it will thus be discerned that the same style or type, structurally speaking, of foot rest is more or less universally employed for making the various foot adjustments.

In order to operate the device, the patient stands erect with the recoil adjuster on the floor, with the naked or stocking covered foot resting lightly upon the foot rest. The position of the foot in relation to the foot rest will vary according to the particular treatment or need in hand. That is to say, either the toe portion or heel portion will be properly related with respect to the foot rest according to the foot adjustment to be made. I shall not, therefore, go into the diversified diagrammatic illustrations of the various foot positions with respect to the foot rest. All that is seemingly necessary to say is, that with the foot properly positioned on the foot rest, by using a snappy downward thrust the resistant mechanical mechanism is brought into play. The thrust should be that of a light blow, quickly released as the user feels the impact of the heads on the plunger rods striking the rubber bumpers in the bottom of the box. In practice it has been found advisable to utilize three or four successive thrust movements one after the other. The foot is not released after the first thrust but holds its relative position ready to give the second, third, and so on. The spring means in the box acting on the plunger rods keeps them under resilient stress, that is, constantly pushed upwardly. Thus, not only is it necessary to force continuously downward, but it is necessary to lift the foot up with the foot rest against the tension of the spring return means and it is this constant pressure resistant action which accomplishes the result desired.

It is thought that persons skilled in the art to which the invention relates will be able to obtain a, clear understanding of the invention after considering the description in connection with the drawings. Therefore, a more lengthy description is regarded as unnecessary. Minor changes in shape, size and rearrangement of details coming within the field of invention claimed may be resorted to in actual practice, if desired.

Having thus described the invention, what is claimed as new is:

1. In a structure of the class described, a hollow box-like base, brackets mounted in said base, a pair of oppositely disposed U-shaped yokes mounted on said brackets, spring means associated with the brackets and yokes for normally holding the yokes upwardly and resisting the downward swinging movements, said base being provided with vertical guide bushings, a pair of duplicate rods perpendicularly slidable through said guide bushings into the interior of the box, the lower ends of the rods being formed with heads engageable with said yokes, cushioning means in the box beneath said heads, and foot form adapter and rest means connected with the upper ends of said rods.

2. In an automatic recoil foot adjusting device of the class described, a base provided with a pair of vertical guide bushings, a pair of duplicate complemental plunger rods, slidable in said bushings and having their lower ends projecting into the base, stop and cushioning elements in the base located beneath the inner ends of said plunger rods, pressure resistant spring means in said base separate from said rods and stops, said spring means being interposed between the inner ends of the rods and said stops, and unitary foot adapter means connected to the upper ends of said plunger rods.

3. In an automatic recoil foot adjusting device of the class described, a base provided with guide means and spring means, a foot accommodation unit comprising rods slidable in said guide means and cooperable with said spring means, a U- shaped connector secured to the upper ends of said rods, and an adapter unit adjustably connected with said U-shaped connector, said adapter being in the form of a horizontally elongated plate possessing a compound curve to render it adaptable to the human foot.

4. As a component part of a structural assemblage of the class described, foot accommodation means comprising a unitary assemblage embodying a pair of duplicate rods adapted to be mounted for reciprocation in a complemental base, a substantially U-shaped connector fastened to the upper ends of said rods, the end portions of said U-shaped connector being bent upwardly in substantially perpendicular directions, and a companion adapter comprising a plate having a compound curveand depending end portions adjustably connected with the end portions of said U-shaped connector.

5. As a component part of a structural assemblage of the class described, a hollow box-like base, brackets mounted in said base, a pair of oppositely disposed U-shaped yokes, mounted on said brackets, spring means associated with the brackets and yokes for normally holding the yokes upwardly and resisting the downward sliding movements, said base being provided with vertical guide openings and internal cushioning elements located beneath and in alignment with said openings.

ARTHUR MORGAN. 

